Andrew Miller’s Post

📃 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: “𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗣𝗧 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 – 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗮” Have a look at the new #research paper by our colleagues Lennart Siemann, Rajeswar Reddy Maraka, Yashwardhan Pande, Natasha Morales with Tobias Mörz, Raluca Opriș, Pedram Masoudi and Nikolas Römer-Stange. The development of #offshore wind farms plays a key role in the transition to #renewable energy sources. This requires reliable ground models, which are currently only available to a limited extent. The correct integration and correlation of geotechnical and geophysical data is a key factor in the creation of reliable ground models. This study investigates different prediction methods, while presenting a modelling framework which incorporates geological, geotechnical, and geophysical information to derive synthetic Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) profiles using offshore wind farm site investigation data from the German North Sea. Seismic attributes are used as auxiliary information to improve CPT parameter prediction. The results indicate a reduction of prediction uncertainty when implementing seismic attributes. To the paper 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaYk7J_6    #windenergy 

Congratulations to my colleagues at EGI University of Utah for successfully being awarded TWO CarbonSAFE Phase II projects! The Utah Geological Survey is excited to collaborate with you, do some good science, and continuing to establish CO2 storage potential in Utah! https://lnkd.in/gxqZ-Azn CarbonSAFE Phase II: Storage Complex Feasibility in the Basin and Range, Southwest Utah — University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah) plans to establish the technical and economic feasibility of a commercial large-scale CO2 geologic storage complex in the Basin and Range province of southwestern Utah. This project aims to store more than 50 million metric tons of anthropogenic CO2 sourced from Fervo Energy’s Red Rock Direct Air Capture Hub project and Utah Iron’s new Direct Reduced Iron facility, currently in the design and permitting stage. The project will establish the feasibility of commercial storage through analysis of high-resolution characterization data, technical analysis, economic evaluations, and environmental analysis. The project will accelerate both Fervo Energy’s Red Rocks Direct Air Capture hub implementation and Utah Iron’s goal to be the Nation’s first green iron processing plant, by providing vital site assessment data for the commercial large-scale carbon capture and storage hub. Total Value: $10,655,820 Rocky Mountain CarbonSAFE Phase II: Storage Complex Feasibility — University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah) intends to assess and establish the feasibility of a commercial large-scale carbon capture and storage commercial hub in central Utah. This initiative encompasses a comprehensive approach, including site-specific characterization, preliminary risk assessment with mitigation plans, detailed planning for subsequent site characterization, technical and economic feasibility assessments, and a Community Benefits Plan. Key methods involve collecting and analyzing geophysical data, drilling, and evaluating a stratigraphic well, developing geologic and computational models for CO2 storage, and engaging with the community to align project objectives with local benefits. The project's successful execution is anticipated to establish a carbon management hub in central Utah, significantly contributing to the reduction of industrial emissions and atmospheric CO2 levels. By capturing and securely storing CO2 from various industrial sources, the project will provide a model for economic revitalization through sustainable industrial practices. Total Value: $11,203,861

"Filipino geologists are in the forefront of fueling the energy transition journey. Geoscientists are employed in a wide variety of jobs, from traditional mining and petroleum to many new areas such as water quality and supply, land-use management and geologic hazards. In a global study, employment of geoscientists is expected to grow 5% in the next 10 years, which is faster than the average for other professions. Science, policy, public health, engineering, education, law, business— all of these fields overlap with the understanding of the earth that comes with a degree in geosciences. The continued need for energy, materials, including the critical minerals for energy transition is projected to increase demand for geoscientists in the future. Responsible stewardship of land and resources are also regularly being deployed in fields that focus on renewables such as hydrothermal power, geothermal, and sites for solar and wind." https://lnkd.in/gq-3HfRC

📣 Global Maritime’s Geosciences department – “GM Geo” - has launched a geological, geohazard and geotechnical desktop study covering up to 6GW of offshore wind lease areas in the Gulf of Bothnia, offshore Finland which are expected to be subject to competitive leasing early in 2025. The seabed intelligence report (SIR) covers all 8 of the prospective leasing areas; Ebba, Närpiö, Hailuoto, Siikajoki, Kristiinankaupunki, Pietsaari, Luoto and Uusikarlepyy, and is a valuable source of information for developers with existing project boundaries in early development and for those seeking to identify preferential areas in the upcoming Gulf of Bothnia leasing process. Gareth Ellery, Director of Geosciences, commented, “The picture around leasing offshore Finland is clearing with the anticipated enactment of an Economic Zone Offshore Wind Power Act in January 2025. This important step then clears the way for leasing processes which are anticipated to commence directly afterwards. Following the success of previous SIR’s, Global Maritime have acted once again to provide early seabed intelligence to developers interested in the Finnish offshore wind, and to accelerate the development of offshore wind in an interesting new market.” Jordan Geear, Global Business Lead Engineering Geology, commented, “Global Maritime’s Finland SIR provides a wealth of information on marine activities, seabed constraints and ground conditions for key prospective offshore wind power areas within the Gulf of Bothnia. Understanding potential seabed and geo-constraints within these areas, including those associated with potentially complex, glaciogenic ground conditions, will be essential to inform early risk management for these sites. In addition, an early understanding of potential foundation suitability will assist in achieving Finland’s goal of 6.5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030.” Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCUYME-V Parties interested in acquiring our Gulf of Bothnia SIR, should contact Gareth Ellery and Jordan Geear 🌊

While this article refers to offshore, the same applies for Geoscience onshore.

The geosciences sector is proving its value across more than just the oil and gas industry The offshore geosciences sector has been increasingly adapting with services such as geological and geophysical (G&G) surveys for offshore wind, geothermal, and other types of seafloor surveys. For instance, Kredo Offshore commissioned Fugro in late 2023 to perform metocean and wind measurements offshore Yeonggwang County in South Korea. Initial investigations are taking place at the project site to determine the suitability of offshore wind development, with four Seawatch Lidar buoys deployed to take readings from wind, waves, and current and meteorological conditions. Data collection will occur over 12 months, with real-time data supplied to Kredo and its consultants before final reporting. In February 2024, PGS secured an offshore wind site characterization contract from an unnamed company for a project in Europe. PGS will mobilize a vessel early in July for the two-month acquisition program, deploying an ultrahigh-resolution 3D streamer. The aim is to provide more detailed subsurface data for shallower targets compared to conventional 2D and geotechnical surveys. Offshore wind  Sercel, CGG's sensing and monitoring division, provides earth science, data science, and sensing and monitoring services.  “In terms of adapting geophysical surveys to support energy transition projects, Sercel has a range of equipment solutions, which are perfectly suited to the subsurface monitoring of geothermal, CCUS, and energy storage projects where high-quality marine streamer, OBN, and downhole data will be critical for 4D monitoring,” Lefdal said. This compact marine seismic technology acquires data for high-resolution 3D imaging of targeted offshore areas. Kappa noted that the system was designed to improve the efficiency of geohazard assessment surveys while also providing G&G data integration, which is relevant for the offshore renewable energy sector. “For offshore renewables, Sercel has a compact marine seismic solution (PIKSEL), which is specially designed for acquiring the best seismic data for high-resolution 3D surveying and geotechnical services for offshore wind,” she said.  “Another aspect of offshore wind is the need to maximize the lifespan of assets like wind turbines exposed to challenging environmental conditions,” Lefdal continued. “Sercel has a range of structural health monitoring solutions, which collect precise real-time measurements of movement and vibrations for analysis and modeling. For offshore wind, a digital twin can be used to identify signs of fatigue and wear and optimize preventive maintenance programs.”  https://lnkd.in/d4GmxPTC

This is an eye opening article that really highlights the significant and real challenges that we as an industry and as a country are facing in meeting our NetZero targets. It is absolutely shocking to know that geology highers have not been available to students in Scotland since 2015 and for my alumni University, Imperial College, to no longer offer their Petroleum Geoscience degree. There is a lot of talk about the skills shortage but this article makes it clear that it is mostly talk. If the foundations at school and university level are being taken away then the whole tower comes tumbling down. This reinforces the view that we are in desperate need of a long term strategic plan instead of the firefighting reactive mode we are in at the moment. What this article poignantly highlights is that the we are not only hindering our success by removing the systems in place but there is also an immense amount of work to be done in order to attract talent into the Energy industry. I would go as far as to say our EVP (Employee Value Proposition) is at it's lowest it has ever been. One quote really hit the nail on the head saying that ''Between climate change, energy transition, the encroachment of AI/Machine Learning the awful way people were treated during the downturn and a lack of future job security – experienced professionals are leaving and millennials don’t want to join the industry,” . Owen Wyatt looking forward to the session next week at E-FWD on skills. We need a strategic plan and actionable solutions yesterday! Energy Voice I Patrice Burnside I Ryan Stevenson

Exciting times ahead for site investigation (Offshore Wind) at Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development. In a couple of weeks there will be three geophysical contractors acquiring data simultaneously in the Doordewind Wind Farm Zone area. Fugro is currently performing a 2D-UHR survey in the south-eastern area. They will soon be joined by PGS performing a large-scale 3D-UHR survey and G-TEC performing a seabed survey, both in the north-western area. Exciting times as we have never had so many vessels 🚢 active in the same Wind Farm Zone as well as it being the first time a 3D-UHR survey will be executed for offshore wind in the Dutch offshore at such a large scale (300 km2). The expectation is that the data acquired will help to increase the value of the Integrated Ground Model 🌍 for developers even more than it already does. Additionally, as the data will be made publicly available it will be an invaluable dataset for anyone interested in the complex glacial geological history of the northern Dutch North Sea. 🔬 (Image below showing a preliminary geological model including Elsterian glacial valleys. Image courtesy - Geological Desktop Study Doordewind WFZ by TNO-Deltares - 2023 )

My thoughts exactly

The scientific research organisation has installed a new #lowcarbon heating system and will monitor benefits in real-time, producing significant data for others to learn from. A geothermal #heatpump has been installed at the headquarters of the British Geological Survey (#BGS) in Keyworth, #Nottinghamshire. Costing £1.7million, the project has been majority funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (#NERC) and the UK Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The technology comprises an array of 28 boreholes drilled to a depth of 225metres, and will replace old gas boilers. Once fully operational, the system will heat two buildings at the site, where 400 people work, cutting #carbondioxide equivalent emissions by around 30 tonnes per year, helping bring down the organisation’s heating bill and #greenhousegas #footprint. This is part of a wider effort to bring down emissions, with 1000 #solarpanels already fitted above the BGS parking area in 2022. A ‘living laboratory’ is also factored into the plans, with state-of-the-art sensors installed within heat extraction boreholes and buildings, providing data in real time to help improve understandings of ground source heat systems, and #decarbonisation. Rock samples will also be taken to increase knowledge of water and heat flow underground, with the local geology comparable to a large proportion of the #UK, meaning lessons learned here can be applied to other parts of the country. ‘Geothermal energy is heat that naturally occurs under the ground and is available 24/7 across the UK. This project will demonstrate the deployment of ground-source heat pump technology to decarbonise existing buildings across the public sector estate,’ said David Boon, a BGS Senior Engineering and Geothermal Geologist. ‘This exciting project gives us the opportunity to blend our observation of the subsurface with leading low-carbon heating,’ said Daniel Crow, head of BGS estates and facilities. ‘The disruption to BGS staff will be kept to a minimum, with short closures of a couple of buildings to allow for the installation of heat emitters. The drilling and heat pump installation is due to last around three months. The borehole installation should not impact on Keyworth site operations due to the careful planning and specification involved in the project.’